Fatal fire in Poughkeepsie started in first floor bathroom: chief

Four bodies were recovered from a Poughkeepsie building Monday morning after City of Poughkeepsie fire put out a "long, stubborn fire," said city chief Mark Johnson.
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A view of the back side of 61 Academy Street in the City of Poughkeepsie on December 4, 2018. A fire early on Monday severely damaged the property and claimed the lives of 4 inhabitants. (Photo: Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal)Buy Photo

The Academy Street fire, where four bodies were recovered Monday, started in the first-floor bathroom toward the northeast section of the vacant three-story building, according to Fire Chief Mark Johnson.

The cause of fire remains under investigation. The identities of those found inside the building were not released on Tuesday.

Johnson said investigating agencies need more evidence before they can make a more precise hypothesis on what caused the fire. However, there were no electrical services connected to the building and that was ruled out as a cause.

"We know that there was some type of fire introduced from outside the structure," Johnson said. "We don't know if it was done on purpose by someone trying to burn the building or if it was caused by someone trying to keep warm or provide light."

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A view of the back side of 61 Academy Street in the City of Poughkeepsie on December 4, 2018. A fire early on Monday severely damaged the property and claimed the lives of 4 inhabitants. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

The back door at 61 Academy Street in the City of Poughkeepsie on December 4, 2018. A fire early on Monday severely damaged the property and claimed the lives of 4 inhabitants. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

A piece of burnt fabric hangs from the gutter of 61 Academy Street in the City of Poughkeepsie on December 4, 2018. A fire early on Monday severely damaged the property and claimed the lives of 4 inhabitants. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Debris rests on the roof of a porch at 61 Academy Street following a fire that damaged the property early Monday morning in the City of Poughkeepsie on December 3, 2018. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

When the units first responded to the fire, all but one point of entry was boarded up with plywood. Where the backdoor to the former residential building used to be was a hole where a piece of plywood covering had been torn off. That was identified as the point of entry for those found in the building.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, Dutchess County Sheriff's Office and Putnam Sheriff's Office are assisting in the investigation. There is no timeline for when the investigation will be complete.

"We are still waiting on forensic evidence, especially from the medical examiner’s office," Johnson said Tuesday. "As well as further forensic evidence from inspections and investigations performed at the scene."

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The back door at 61 Academy Street in the City of Poughkeepsie on December 4, 2018. A fire early on Monday severely damaged the property and claimed the lives of 4 inhabitants. (Photo: Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal)

Victims discovered in ruins

Firefighters responded to the three-story building at 61 Academy St. near 1:48 a.m. Monday for a reported structure fire, Johnson said. The fire was under control at about 4:30 a.m. as units continued to monitor hot spots.

The bodies were found while firefighters were overhauling the building. The first body was found on the second floor near the fire escape, the second body was found on the third floor in the attic area and the third and fourth bodies were found on the first floor, Johnson said.

Cases of people who are homeless squatting to keep warm in vacant houses were more prevalent five years ago during the city's worst financially strapped time and height of vacant properties, Johnson said.

"The city has taken steps to secure these buildings as best they can," he said. "Public works will secure a building and two days later a person breaks in again. It's a never ending battle."